Hall Talk

Q: Why did you pick your major in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences?

Andrew Grueber
Sophomore
Landscape Contracting
Rogers, Ohio
"This is something I like to do. Eventually, I'd like to own my own landscaping company."

Justin Hamaker
Senior
Forestry
Dubois, Pa.
"I have a love and knack for the outdoors. I've enjoyed the outside labs and the hands-on experience in this major. I'd like to get into federal forestry work."

Ben Hartman
Junior
Agroecology
Reading, Pa.
"This major brings a lot of separate ideas together. There are a lot of choices, and I have the freedom to create my own curriculum. I hope to be able to apply these ideas to my family farm when I graduate."

Lu Fang
Sophomore
Environmental Soil Science
China
"I enjoy the challenging topics and research. I hope to continue my research and earn a doctorate."

Mike McCallips
Senior
Landscape Contracting
State College, Pa.
"I've wanted to do this since high school. I hope to work for a golf course and eventually run my own. I enjoy the field trips and outdoors experience. It's better than just seeing a series of slides."

Rachael McKernan
Junior
Animal Sciences, Business Option
Beech Creek, Pa.
"I chose this major because I grew up on a farm and plan to manage an equine-training stable or beef-production facility. Last summer, I got to do an internship in Hanover preparing yearling horses for sale."

Alicia Faessen
Freshman
Turfgrass Science
Reading, Pa.
"This is my first semester, but this is something I grew up wanting to do. I'm looking forward to the labs I've heard about."

Daniel Sloane
Sophomore
Turfgrass Science
Sarver, Pa.
"I worked at a golf course for four years. Once I graduate, I plan to go back, or even operate my own."

Laura Sankey
Junior
Agricultural and Extension Education
Clearfield, Pa.
"My high school agriculture teacher encouraged me to choose this major. I plan to go to graduate school and eventually teach agriculture in high school."

Atchley Stackhouse
Junior
Agricultural and Extension Education
Benton, Pa.
"I grew up in a rural setting and was involved in Future Farmers of America in high school. I've always been interested in agriculture and plan to become a teacher."

David Ruvarac
Junior
Agricultural and Extension Education
Westfield, Pa.
"I started out as a preveterinary major, but some influential teachers steered me in this direction. I'd like to help educate youth about agriculture."

Niki Davis
Senior
Landscape Contracting
Oxford, Pa.
"I like being outdoors and want to own a landscaping business. The class I've enjoyed the most so far is Horticulture 269, Residential Landscape Planning."